Colossal Ginger Cookies

If you want huge, thick ginger cookies that are soft in the middle but have crispy edges, give this recipe a try. I’ve been making these for years and they are always a hit, plus they’re perfect for wrapping and giving as gifts or selling at bake sales. They’re also incredibly simple.

Shortening is key to the texture. When made with butter, the cookies come out flat and sort of greasy. Luckily, non-hydrogenated Spectrum and Nutiva brand shortenings both work perfectly and the palm oil flavor is masked by all the spices.

Also, don’t skip the chilling time. The cookies bake up thicker if you let the dough chill overnight .

These cookies are big, soft, dense and chewy. Unfortunately, to get the right texture you must use melted shortening. As much as I love butter, it just doesn't work properly in these cookies therefore shortening is key.

Author: Cookie Madness

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 9

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup shortening, melted and cooled

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Crystal sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer beat sugar, egg and vanilla until light. Beat in melted, cooled shortening and molasses.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. If cookies seem brown after first 15 minutes, lay a sheet of foil loosely over the top. Let cool for 2-3 minutes on cookie sheet. Cookies will be large, thick, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.